Written Answers Thursday 25 October 2007

Scottish Executive

Animal Welfare

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what investment it has planned to improve the system of animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’s animal disease surveillance arrangements are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to Scotland’s needs.

Animal Welfare

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to develop and improve animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services in Ayrshire.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’s animal disease surveillance programme is kept under continual review to ensure it provides maximum protection and benefit to Scotland’s livestock industry.

Bridges

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what options it is considering for paying for the construction of a new Forth crossing.

Stewart Stevenson: Initial considerations of potential funding options were set out in Report 3 Chapter 7 and included traditional grant funding and private finance options. No decision has been made regarding the financing of the replacement crossing.

Bridges

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has ruled out using private finance to pay in any way for a new Forth crossing, whether agreed (a) directly by it or (b) indirectly through the Forth Estuary Transport Authority or any other public authority.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether allowing the Forth Estuary Transport Authority to borrow to pay for the construction of a new Forth crossing would require approval from the UK Government.

Stewart Stevenson: No decision has been made regarding the financing of the replacement crossing.

Bridges

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest update is on efforts to dehumidify the cables on the Forth Road Bridge.

Stewart Stevenson: The operation and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge is the responsibility of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA).

  FETA has stated that the installation of dehumidification equipment should be completed in 2009.

Bridges

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the next update will be given on the progress of efforts to dehumidify the cables on the Forth Road Bridge.

Stewart Stevenson: The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Forth Road Bridge.

  Providing updates on the progress of the dehumidification works is therefore, a matter for FETA.

Bridges

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will know whether dehumidifying the cables on the Forth Road Bridge will slow or halt the cable corrosion.

Stewart Stevenson: The outcome of Forth Estuary Transport Authority’s work to dehumidify the main suspension cables is expected by 2011-12.

Bridges

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when its study into strengthening or replacing the cables on the Forth Road Bridge will be completed and when the results will be published.

Stewart Stevenson: The study into strengthening or replacing the main cables on the Forth Road Bridge is the responsibility of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) who operates and maintains the bridge.

  FETA expects the final technical report on this during spring 2008.

Bridges

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of the cost of building a new bridge or tunnel crossing for the Forth.

Stewart Stevenson: The cost estimates are set out in Report 4, Volume 1 of the Forth Replacement Crossing Study which is published online at www.forthreplacementcrossing.org .

Bridges

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Forth crossing will have multi-modal elements for rail, bicycle or bus.

Stewart Stevenson: Both bridge and tunnel options are being considered in light of their ability to serve multi-modal trips.

  However, heavy rail has not been included as an option for any replacement crossing as the existing rail infrastructure can be improved to meet foreseeable demand.

Bridges

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 will take place prior to building a new Forth crossing.

Stewart Stevenson: An environmental impact assessment will take place prior to the construction of a replacement Forth crossing.

Bridges

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a statement on the timing and financing of the new Forth crossing.

Stewart Stevenson: An announcement is expected to be made before the end of the year on the replacement Forth crossing.

Bridges

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with HM Treasury about the use of bond financing of the new Forth crossing.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) ministerial and (b) official-led meetings have been held with HM Treasury about any aspect of financing the new Forth crossing.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place, or advice sought from any source, about the use of European Regional Development Fund structural funding as part of the package for financing the new Forth crossing.

Stewart Stevenson: None.

Bridges

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be any element of private funding in the financing of the new Forth crossing.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Forth crossing will be subject to toll charges.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would seek to use any aspect of the Parliament’s tax varying powers in connection with funding the new Forth crossing.

Stewart Stevenson: No decision has been made regarding the financing of the replacement Forth Crossing.

Broadcasting

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive under what specific functions of the Scottish ministers the Scottish Broadcasting Commission was established.

Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to S3W-3217 on 14 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Broadcasting

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission in this financial year.

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated budget is for the Scottish Broadcasting Commission in 2008-09.

Linda Fabiani: The amount of funding provisionally identified to support the work of the commission is up to £500,000. This amount is only an estimate and any budget set or actual spend during this financial year or 2008-09 will be subject to an agreed work programme but costs over the two years will not exceed £500,000. The largest proportion of any spend is expected to take place during 2007-08. The amount of estimated funds provisionally identified was based on the previous administration’s Cultural Commission, which cost just over £500,000.

Broadcasting

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive under what specific authorisation in terms of the Budget (Scotland) Act 2007 funding has been provided for the Scottish Broadcasting Commission in this financial year.

Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to question S3W-3217 on 14 September. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Charities

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of allegations that KKL Scotland is funding discriminatory land-purchase policies in Israel which, if true, would make KKL Scotland ineligible for charitable status.

Fergus Ewing: Decisions as to whether a body is eligible for entry onto the Scottish Charity Register and, therefore eligible for charitable status, are operational matters for the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Any concerns related to specific Scottish charities or charity trustees should be reported to OSCR, as an independent regulator.

  We understand that OSCR has an inquiry open into the KKL (Scotland) Charitable Trust, which is actively on-going. This is entirely a matter for OSCR and it would not be appropriate to comment on the subject of an on-going inquiry.

Class Sizes

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average class size has been in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.

Maureen Watt: Information on average primary class size is collected and published each year in "Pupils in Scotland" and, prior to 2003, in the "Summary Results of the School Census". These are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 20194, 20197, 22064 and 29040). Information published since 2003 can be accessed on the Scottish Government website by using the following hyperlink: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/PubPupilCensus

  Information on class sizes in secondary schools is not routinely collected as part of the School Census.

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated staffing and capital costs are to implement class size reductions to 18 in primary 1 to primary 3, broken down by local authority.

Fiona Hyslop: Estimates of the staffing costs required for class size reductions in primary 1 to 3 to a maximum of 18 are not available broken down to local authority level. The number of teachers available to reduce class sizes is dependent upon the number of pupils. Revised population projections were published on 23 October and their impact upon the projected number of pupils will need to be analysed before projections of the numbers of teachers required for class size reductions can be made.

  We have made available £40 million of additional capital resources to authorities this financial year to allow a start to be made on the accommodation requirements and £9 million for the employment of teachers.

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have spent the £40 million additional Schools Fund grant on reducing class sizes.

Maureen Watt: The Schools Fund capital grant, including the additional £40 million, is for expenditure at any stage of the remainder of the financial year ending 31 March 2008.

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance was given to local authorities on how the additional £40 million Schools Fund grant, earmarked for reducing class sizes, was to be spent.

Maureen Watt: The background to the allocation of this additional £40 million was set out in a letter to local authorities of 10 July 2007. A copy is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 43795).

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any local authorities using the additional Schools Fund capital money, linked to reducing class sizes, for any other purpose.

Maureen Watt: The announcement and allocation of the additional £40 million of Schools Fund capital grant made clear to authorities that if they are not yet in a position to spend it in connection with reducing class sizes they may, meantime, accelerate other priority projects in order to focus future capital spend on reducing class sizes when needed.

Climate Change

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4253 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 October 2007, how much each measure listed is predicted to contribute to meeting its CO 2 emission reduction targets.

Stewart Stevenson: Most of the measures listed are in development or under review and, whilst carbon savings will be a principal driver for each measure, projected carbon savings are not currently available. However, the one stop shop approach for domestic consumers will aim for lifetime savings of over 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is a four-fold increase on current performance.

  It is important that the package of measures to deliver our ambitious climate change targets is robust. Developing the policies and analysis necessary to support this will inevitably take time.

Climate Change

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation responses it has received on a climate change bill.

Stewart Stevenson: No responses have been received as the consultation on a Scottish Climate Change Bill has not yet been launched. The Scottish Government is currently meeting key stakeholders to discuss the development of the consultation. The consultation on proposals for the bill will be launched around the turn of the year.

Climate Change

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how members of the public will be able to contribute to the development of a climate change bill.

Stewart Stevenson: A full public consultation will be held prior to the development of a Scottish Climate Change Bill and all members of the public are encouraged to respond to the consultation.

Climate Change

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Climate Change Business Delivery Group next to report to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change.

Stewart Stevenson: The Climate Change Business Delivery Group is an independent group of leading business people. Scottish ministers have actively encouraged its remit, to inspire Scottish businesses to do more to reduce emissions and to influence policy and practice on climate change throughout Scotland. Although the group does not have a formal role in advising Scottish ministers, there is regular dialogue between the group and the government, and i have a keen interest in the group’s progress in advancing this challenging agenda.

Courts

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to evaluate how children who are alleged to be abused are treated by the court system.

Kenny MacAskill: These children come within the scope of the Vulnerable Witnesses(Scotland) Act 2004 which covers the use of special measures in court. The first two phases of the implementation of the act are currently being evaluated and a final report will be made early in 2008.

Culture

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was disbursed in grants to traditional, rock and classical music and jazz in each financial year since 1999-2000.

Linda Fabiani: Funding for music can come from three main sources: the Scottish Arts Council; Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. These organisations do not keep records by specific genres. A breakdown of the funding given to music from 1999-2000 to 2007-08 has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 43823).

Culture

Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) about the criteria for nominations for Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars, in light of BAFTA’s decision to nominate no films in this category despite the Scottish Gaelic film, Seachd, being put forward for nomination.

Linda Fabiani: I share the disappointment felt by many that Seachd was not put forward by BAFTA as the UK entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. Whilst the Scottish Government has no direct influence over the decision making process, the First Minister has written to BAFTA UK on this issue expressing our disappointment. I understand that the film has received many positive reviews and has been selected for the Rome and Vancouver Film Festivals, I wish it every success at these prestigious events and I hope audiences across Scotland, and more widely, continue to enjoy Seachd.

Dentistry

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the new Aberdeen dental school.

Shona Robison: Good initial progress has been made towards the establishment of a third dental school in Scotland in Aberdeen.

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are estimated to live with a parent with (a) alcohol and (b) drug addiction.

Adam Ingram: I refer the member to answer to question S3W-4416 on 1 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search

Education

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what educational basis open plan and semi-open plan classes are considered beneficial or of greater benefit than traditional classrooms.

Maureen Watt: Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the schools in their area, whatever the design, are capable of providing an appropriate environment for effective learning and teaching. Consideration of the educational merits of open plan, or semi-open plan, classrooms is therefore a matter for local authorities.

Education

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have a statutory duty to permit parental choice in the placing of pupils in primary schools.

Maureen Watt: Local authorities do have a statutory duty to comply with a parental request for a child to be placed in a particular school, except in circumstances set out in section 28A of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

Education

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to end parental choice in the placing of children in primary schools.

Maureen Watt: We have no such policy.

Education

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money is provided to local authorities for the provision of swimming lessons in schools.

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the money provided to education authorities for swimming lessons is ring fenced for that purpose.

Maureen Watt: Funding is made available to local authorities through a range of sources from including the block grant to each local authority and the National Priorities Action fund which provides £12 million in total for funding of out of school learning. Local authorities will make their own decisions on what provision they will make for swimming lessons in schools. There is no ring fencing of funds for the provision of swimming lessons.

Employment

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways its proposed new skills body will address the needs of those furthest from the labour market.

Fiona Hyslop: It will be for the new skills body to propose how it will seek to address the needs of those furthest from the labour market. However, in considering the needs of those furthest from the labour market, Skills for Scotland sets out our ambition for an integrated employment and skills service delivered through partnership working at a local and national level. The new body will have a clear role in ensuring this is achieved.

Employment

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways the performance of its proposed new skills body will be measured in terms of addressing the needs of those furthest from the labour market.

Fiona Hyslop: It will be for Scottish ministers, in discussion with the new skills body, to determine suitable measures for the work of the body to address the needs of those furthest from the labour market.

Enterprise

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive into which of the proposed enterprise network regions Fife will be placed.

Jim Mather: Fife will be part of the East Central Scotland region. I am aware that in areas such as Fife there are excellent examples of effective local collaboration between the enterprise networks, local authorities, the business community and others. Where such strong local partnerships exist, these will be able to continue to operate within the regional model.

Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current Shetland-based staff delivering the services provided by Careers Scotland and those delivering the skills and training elements of the work of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Shetland will transfer to the new skills body; whether all the work that they carry out will continue to be carried out by Shetland-based staff, and what changes there will be in their working relationships with Shetland employers, Shetland College, the NAFC Marine Centre and Shetland Islands Council.

Fiona Hyslop: Careers Scotland will be part of the new skills body and therefore current HIE Careers Scotland staff will transfer to the new body. This will include those based in Shetland. In terms of those staff involved in delivering skills and training, discussions continue about how best to develop skills at the local level. Local delivery options and discussions with key partners will now take place and it is my intention to consider the continuation of local delivery by Highlands and Islands Enterprise as one of the options for skills and training in the Highlands and Islands area.

Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the skills and training work currently delivered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise Shetland and detail how it will be delivered in Shetland after the skills and training elements of the enterprise network are passed to the new skills body.

Fiona Hyslop: The skills and training work currently delivered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise Shetland is:

  Management and Leadership Training

  First Steps into Business courses

  First Steps into Community Enterprise Training

  Short courses on general business topics including: Marketing and Promotion, Selling, Basic book-keeping etc

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Skillseekers

  Get Ready for Work

  Workforce development grants to support businesses.

  Those aspects of the enterprise networks skills and training activity related to individuals and their employability skills and training will be the responsibility of the new skills body. This relates to National Training Programmes including Get Ready for Work, Skillseekers, modern apprenticeships and Training for Work. They will be the responsibility of the new skills body. At this stage it is not possible to be specific as to how these will be delivered in Shetland. Local delivery options and discussions with key partners will now take place and it is my intention to consider the continuation of local delivery by Highlands and Islands Enterprise as one of the options for skills and training in the Highlands and Islands area.

Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will maintain accountability over the delivery of the skills and training elements of the enterprise network in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area when they are passed to the new skills body.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government will maintain accountability over the new skills body:

  By appointing the chair and board and through contact with the chair and board members.

  Through framework documentation (Management Statement, Financial Memorandum and Accounts Direction).

  Through ensuring that the annual accounts are reported to Parliament.

  By giving the body guidance and setting objectives for its work.

  By ensuring it reports to Scottish ministers.

Environment

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to promote the use of compost on agricultural land to enhance the organic content of soils.

Richard Lochhead: We are keen to promote the use of compost to improve soil and are working with industry to ensure confidence in the quality of such products.

Environment

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has provided, or will provide, to Greenspace and other similar organisations that promote local action to improve the environment for the citizens of our towns and cities, as in the development of the Drumchapel Way in Glasgow.

Michael Russell: During this and the previous administration the Scottish Government has provided funding to many organisations including local authorities, through grant schemes and core funding, to promote national and local action to improve the environment of our towns and cities.

  Examples include Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) "Attractive Places to Live" grants scheme 2003-07 provided £1.18 million of core funding to Greenspace Scotland. Additionally, within that period SNH gave £1.4 million funding to Greenspace Scotland to support local projects.

  BTCV Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and Planning Aid for Scotland together with Environmental Justice Grants of £2 million in 2007-08 are also working to improve the local environment for communities.

Ferry Services

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it will allow cancelled or delayed Caledonian MacBrayne ferries to be excluded from reliability and punctuality figures.

Stewart Stevenson: The Public Service Contract between the Scottish ministers and CalMac Ferries Ltd for the delivery of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services includes a Performance Regime which penalises the operator if it does not operate services to the prescribed timetables. However, the contract recognises that there will be situations where cancellations or delays will be unavoidable or where they may be justified because of particular circumstances that can arise. In such cases, the penalty system is not triggered. These circumstances are described as "Performance Relief Events" and include "Relief Events", "Lifeline Service Relief" and "Upgrade Relief Events".

  The list of performance relief events is extensive and includes, for example, adverse weather and tidal conditions, safety factors beyond the operator’s control and the holding back of a sailing to await the arrival of a late running public transport service that is scheduled to connect with the sailing. However, it is intended that the statistics that will be collected on punctuality and reliability will show both the actual performance and the performance after the application of the performance relief events.

Ferry Services

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions in the last year ferries between Ardrossan and Brodick were (a) cancelled but excluded from the route’s reliability figures, (b) cancelled and included in the route’s reliability figures, (c) delayed but excluded from the route’s punctuality figures and (d) delayed and included in the route’s reliability figures.

Stewart Stevenson: CalMac Ferries Ltd has provided the following figures relating to the year ending 31 August 2007:

  (a) sailings cancelled but excluded from the route’s reliability figures – 113

  (b) sailings cancelled and included in the route’s reliability figures – 2

  (c) sailings delayed but excluded from the route’s punctuality figures – 425

  (d) sailings delayed and included in the route’s punctuality figures – 174.

  The sailings which are excluded from the reliability and punctuality figures are those where a legitimate "relief event" prevented or delayed the sailing. Relief events relate to factors that are beyond the operator’s control, such as adverse weather.

Ferry Services

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that Caledonian MacBrayne’s performance and reliability figures are open to full public examination.

Stewart Stevenson: The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Public Service Contract requires CalMac Ferries Ltd to submit regular reports on performance (including reliability and punctuality) to the Scottish Government, to make summary information available to those attending the half-yearly consultation meetings to be facilitated by the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) and to publish the summary information in their annual report. CalMac Ferries will also display monthly information on punctuality and reliability on each of their routes in the port offices and vessels as part of their Customer Services Undertaking.

Ferry Services

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis it was decided that Caledonian MacBrayne should provide an additional service between Ardrossan and Brodick in winter months, rather than focusing on increasing the reliability and punctuality of existing services.

Stewart Stevenson: Prior to finalising the service specification for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, the former administration undertook a consultation exercise in 2004-05 that sought views on a range of issues, including "further changes to timetables and services which may benefit users".

  In considering the responses to that consultation exercise I understand that the previous administration concluded that enhancements to the winter timetable for Ardrossan to Brodick should be included in the final service specification. As a consequence, an additional return sailing on the route during the winter was added to the service specification included in the tender documentation for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services issued in December 2006.

  In addition, in response to requests from the local community, CalMac Ferries Ltd announced on 4 October 2007 that they will continue to provide a double vessel service for the summer timetable. Taken together these will provide enhanced summer and winter timetables.

Ferry Services

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of a lifeline ferry service.

Stewart Stevenson: There is no definition, in statute, of "lifeline ferry service". However, the previous administration noted that, in subsidising ferry services, its objective was "to ensure the provision of a suitable standard of transport connection, in terms of quality, frequency and capacity, to island (or, in some cases, remote peninsular) communities which would otherwise suffer social and economic disadvantage". I would not dissent from that definition.

Ferry Services

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional winter sailings to Islay, recently announced by Calmac Ferries Ltd, are part of the tender agreement.

Stewart Stevenson: I can confirm that the additional winter sailings to Islay were not included in the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract that took effect from 1 October 2007. The contract gives CalMac Ferries Ltd the flexibility to introduce additional services where there is a demand and where there is no need for additional subsidy. The growth in Islay’s whisky production is very good news and I welcome CalMac’s positive approach in meeting with industry representatives and introducing the additional sailings to meet the needs of the whisky producers.

Ferry Services

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost breakdown is of the £11.5 million increase in subsidy provided to Calmac Ferries Ltd to operate the new tender agreement.

Stewart Stevenson: The increase in subsidy is approximately £11 million when the year beginning 1 October 2007 (the first year of the new contract) is compared with the year ending 31 March 2007. A range of factors contributes to this increase. These include inflation (£3.2 million), increased employer pension contributions (£2.3 million), increased third party harbour charges (£2.2 million) and additional leasing and running costs for new vessels (£1.9 million).

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will pursue a welfare scheme for farmers affected by restrictions on the export of cast sows and deer carcases as a result of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Richard Lochhead: I am extremely concerned at the implications for producers of export restrictions arising from the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The European Commission announced further relaxations in export restrictions last Friday which will help take a lot of pressure off the industry. The Scottish Government will continue to press the case for further relaxation to enable Scottish produce to have unfettered access to European markets.

  A pigmeat Private Storage Aid scheme has also been announced by the European Commission which will provide welcome market support to a sector which, in addition to current foot-and-mouth disease-related difficulties, has been affected by significant feed price increases in the past year. I have offered to meet representatives of the pig industry to discuss this situation further.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial support it has provided for animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services in Ayrshire following the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue disease.

Richard Lochhead: The recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey has highlighted the importance of continued vigilance for signs of disease and surveillance. Given the level of resource currently in place the Scottish Government does not believe that additional financial support is necessary.

Fuel

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the Isle of Arran will have access to sufficient fuels over the winter months, given the decision of Scottish Fuels to transport fuel to the island by road via ferry.

Stewart Stevenson: I understand that CalMac Ferries has accepted a block booking for a tanker on its 7am sailing from Ardrossan to Brodick on every weekday throughout the winter, returning on the 11am sailing each day. This should provide sufficient capacity to meet Arran’s needs for gas oil, derv and kerosene over the winter months and should not have any impact on other ferry users. In terms of petrol supplies, I understand that there is currently a significant stock of petrol held on the island. However, top-ups can be delivered, as required, using CalMac’s winter service between Tarbert on the mainland and Lochranza on Arran.

Health

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering changes to the arrangements for supplying home oxygen.

Shona Robison: I expect to receive a report before the end of November following an internal review of the present domiciliary oxygen service. The report will include possible options for change in the current arrangements.

Health

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve the health of the people of Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has policies and programmes in place to tackle Scotland’s biggest health challenges – including alcohol, smoking and healthy weight management. Action includes anticipatory care approaches to prevent ill health, such as the Keep Well programme.

  The Better Health, Better Care discussion document sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for improving health and wellbeing and we will publish our Action Plan by the end of this year.

Housing

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to conduct a review of house selling practices.

Fergus Ewing: In December 2000, the previous administration announced the establishment of the Housing Improvement Task Force to look at the problems of housing quality in the private sector. The task force had a broad remit and one of the areas it considered was the house buying and selling process. The task force concluded in its final report of 2003 that although some changes should be made to the system, it should not be abolished.

  You may wish to access the report at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Housing/Housing/16193/PolicyandLegislation/HousingImprovementTask.

  There are no current plans to review house selling practices, but this is an area which I will keep under scrutiny.

Lifelong Learning

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that a joined-up approach is taken to growing the economy through its policies on planning, education and skills, transport, infrastructure and energy.

John Swinney: The forthcoming Government Economic Strategy will set out how we will achieve the government’s purpose of sustainable economic growth. The strategy will ensure a joined-up approach across all areas of policy, including planning, education and skills, transport, infrastructure and energy.

Lifelong Learning

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support successful local partnerships working in the field of economic and skills development.

Fiona Hyslop: I am keen to ensure that the skills body continues to provide effective local delivery. Therefore, it will be an important priority for the skills body to establish how it will address the local issues, including supporting successful local partnerships working in the field of economic and skills development in line with Skills for Scotland: A Lifelong Skills Strategy .

Lifelong Learning

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what role sustainable development education has in achieving a smarter and greener Scotland and why there is no mention of this in its skills strategy.

Maureen Watt: Education for sustainable development is a key element of both the Scottish Government’s Greener and Smarter strategic objectives. The support for the eco schools programme and the opportunities presented by the development of Curriculum for Excellence will ensure that children and young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to make more sustainable lifestyle choices. These programmes of work will contribute to the achievement of a smarter and greener Scotland and also support the action plan for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development which sets out a range of actions across the education sector. The skills strategy does set out that a greener Scotland and a smarter, wealthier, fairer, healthier, safer and stronger Scotland, can only be built if people are equipped with the skills, expertise and knowledge for success.

Lifelong Learning

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in merging Careers Scotland and learndirect Scotland to form a new skills body.

Fiona Hyslop: Scottish ministers, following the announcements on 10 and 26 September 2007 are taking forward the establishment of the new skills body with a view to having a shell organisation set up by the start of 2008, with a more formalised body in place by the end of this financial year.

NHS Waiting Times

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting times were for a (i) brain scan, (ii) health check, (iii) endoscopy, (iv) audiology check, (v) MRI scan and (vi) CT scan in each NHS board in 2006-07.

Nicola Sturgeon: The specific information requested is not available centrally.

NHS Waiting Times

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the target is for the maximum waiting time for an appointment to see a GP.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government’s target on access to GP services is that anyone contacting their GP practice should have guaranteed access to a GP, nurse or other health care professional within 48 hours.

  For the years 2005-06 and 2006-07, NHS boards reported (nationally) that some 99% of practices demonstrated compliance with requirements for this target. This compares to 97% in 2004-05.

  Information on the target and the guidance issued to NHS boards is available publicly from the 48 Hour Access website http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/48houraccess.

National Health Service

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for NHS Scotland to deliver energy efficiency and what incentives the Scottish Government has put in place for NHS boards to meet its overall reduction targets for CO 2 emissions.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHSScotland currently has a national target to reduce climatically adjusted energy consumption by 2% annually until 2010 and is on track to meet this target. This target will be reviewed in line with emerging policies.

  NHS boards are covered by the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and the Scottish Government has proposals for a separate Scottish implementation of the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment for public bodies.

  The Carbon Trust is working with Scottish NHS boards to help NHSScotland reduce emissions through the Carbon Management Programme.

People with Dementia

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the availability of residential care for people suffering from acute dementia.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has identified the needs of people with dementia as a priority. We are discussing with key stakeholders how we respond in a co-ordinated way to the needs of the growing numbers of people with dementia.

  It is the responsibility of local agencies to plan and commission the appropriate mix of residential and home-based care services to meet the current and future needs of people in their areas. Following from the work of the Range and Capacity Review into future care requirements for older people, the Scottish Government’s Joint Improvement Team published guidance in June 2007 to assist local agencies in capacity planning and commissioning services to meet local needs.

  We are also funding a dementia improvement programme with NHS Forth Valley and the Dementia Services Development Centre to explore ways of better managing the care of people with dementia and prevent unnecessary admissions to care homes and acute wards. The programme will be evaluated in 2008.

Planning

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-3167, 3168, 3169 and 3170 by Stewart Maxwell on 4 September 2007, whether it will release all the responses made to the consultation on draft Scottish Planning Policy 11: Physical Activity and Open Space (SPP 11) specifying what proportion of these responses opposes a presumption against development on urban green space and what proportion opposes a statutory responsibility to consult where a proposal seeks to develop on greenbelt.

Stewart Stevenson: One hundred and thirty-three responses were received following publication of consultation draft SPP 11. All the consultation responses were published on the Scottish Government website and can be viewed at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/01/23094522/0 . The finalised SPP 11: Open Space and Physical Activity will shortly be published, and will be accompanied by a consultation report and analysis of consultation responses. Policy on green belt is set out in SPP 21: Green Belts, published in April 2006.

Public Appointments

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the public appointments that it has made since January 2005 which do not fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland or the commissioner’s code of practice.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not maintain a central list of the appointments that fall outwith the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. However, details of all regulated ministerial public appointments are published on the Government’s Public Appointments website at www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies .

Public Transport

David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the funding of the Edinburgh tram scheme.

Stewart Stevenson: As I confirmed in my statement to Parliament on 27 September this year the Scottish Government will provide up to £500 million in financial support to the City of Edinburgh Council’s tram project.

Public Transport

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the full capital and revenue cost implications will be for the Edinburgh trams project as a result of its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 ( Official Report , c. 2252-2260).

Stewart Stevenson: Following the statement, more detailed discussion is required with the promoter, of the Edinburgh Tram project, City of Edinburgh Council. The implications of the new rail interchange on the Tram Project including cost and revenue implications will be part of that discussion.

  The recently published Tram Business Case supports the view that rail-tram integration at Gogar will provide a beneficial source of future tram revenues and will have a positive outcome on the viability of the tram scheme.

Radioactive Waste

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the appointment of members to the reconstituted Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

Richard Lochhead: I am pleased to announce the appointment of the reconstituted Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).

  While we would not look to CoRWM to provide advice to the Scottish Government on deep geological disposal, we will still be actively engaging with CoRWM on interim storage and research and how the committee’s work in these areas will support our commitment to dealing responsibly with Scotland’s radioactive waste following our announcement in June (S3W-1426).

  The reconstituted committee will play a key role in scrutinising government’s and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) plans for the long-term management, including Interim storage and disposal, of radioactive waste. It will provide on-going independent advice to the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the devolved administrations for Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Further information, including biographies of new CoRWM members, is available at:  www.corwm.org.uk.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has been undertaken with the City of Edinburgh Council on the likely impact on the trams scheme of its proposed new Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: Officials from Transport Scotland discussed the emerging conclusions of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvements work with the City of Edinburgh Council including the proposed integration of the tram and rail network. More detailed discussions will now take place.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many car journeys it is estimated will no longer be undertaken as a result of its proposed new Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: No specific assessment on modal shift from cars has been carried out at this time for the Gogar station proposal.

  The new Gogar station and its connection with the tram is part of a rolling programme of works known as "Package C3". This package of works includes changes to the Dalmeny chord, changes at Garngard and electrification of the routes including the Edinburgh to Glasgow route (via Falkirk High) the Cumbernauld line and the Stirling to Dunblane line. This will have a big impact on the network and it is expected as a whole to increase rail travel across the Edinburgh and Glasgow corridor by 4% and improve some 15 million passengers journeys per annum.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when trains on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line will be able to stop at Edinburgh Park as part of its proposed new Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: An interchange with the Edinburgh tram at Edinburgh Park and the new station at Gogar will be in place to coincide with the completion of the tram in 2011, improving public transport connections to both Edinburgh airport and the growing economic area to the west of Edinburgh. In addition, Airdrie to Bathgate trains from Glasgow will stop at Edinburgh Park from 2010. It will take a few years longer before the necessary infrastructure, including the Dalmeny chord, will be in place to provide capacity for additional services on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route via Falkirk that can stop at Edinburgh Park. The full programme will be completed by 2016, but it is expected that many of the benefits may be achieved in advance of that date.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposed new Edinburgh Airport rail link will impact on the road capacity at the Gogar roundabout and Maybury junction.

Stewart Stevenson: The proposal will encourage the use of both the heavy rail and light rail network instead of the road network.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the modal shift figures are for people travelling to Edinburgh Airport under its proposed new Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: No specific assessment on modal shift from cars has been carried out at this time for the Gogar station proposal.

  The new Gogar station and its connection with the tram is part of a rolling programme of works known as "Package C3". This package of works includes changes to the Dalmeny chord, changes at Garngard and electrification of the routes including the Edinburgh to Glasgow route (via Falkirk High) the Cumbernauld line and the Stirling to Dunblane line. This will have a big impact on the network and it is expected as a whole to increase rail travel across the Edinburgh and Glasgow corridor by 4% and improve some 15 million passengers journeys per annum.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what land acquisition measures will be undertaken as part of its proposed new Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: The land needed for the tram route to the airport will be acquired using the recently passed Edinburgh Tram Act. Any further land needed for the interchange at Gogar will be acquired using normal processes which may include the use of the new Transport and Works (Scotland) Act 2007.

Rail Network

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with figures contained in the promoter’s written response to the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee on alternative options (PROM (P) 1H) with regard to the de-congestion benefits, patronage levels, economic benefits and loss of revenues involved in alternative options.

Stewart Stevenson: The promoter’s previous written response was concerned with alternative options which did not include integration with the tram as is now being proposed. The new proposal costs a third of the cost of the EARL scheme and the Gogar station will enjoy the same level of connectivity.

Rail Network

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implementation dates will be for each project announced in its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 ( Official Report , c. 2252-2260).

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the capital and revenue costs will be of each project announced in its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 ( Official Report , c. 2252-2260).

Stewart Stevenson: Details of each of the projects announced in the ministerial statement on 27 September 2007 are included in a full report detailing the options considered, the process of appraisal and the options chosen to take forward. This report, Strategic Transport Projects Review – Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements, can be found on the Transport Scotland website at ( www.transportscotland.gov.uk ). Further design and development work will now be undertaken to define particular work structures necessary for delivery of the programme.

Rail Network

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the funding for the projects announced in its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 ( Official Report , c. 2252-2260) will come from sources additional to the Scottish block grant and to which projects this will apply.

Stewart Stevenson: The precise proportion of alternative funding options will be determined at a later stage in the project.

Rail Network

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the development of through train services from (a) Stranraer and (b) Ayr to Edinburgh and, if so, how and when they will be implemented.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government recently outlined its priorities to Parliament on improving the connections and journey times associated with the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail route. The introduction of direct services from Stranraer and Ayr to Edinburgh has not been ruled out and further consideration will be given to this issue in due course. Furthermore, the step change in the number of services between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh, as announced on 27 September 2007, will improve connections from the south and west of Glasgow, and from both Prestwick and Glasgow airports, through to Edinburgh.

Rail Network

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to the electrification of the rail line from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts and, if so, when it will be implemented and what the fastest journey time would be.

Stewart Stevenson: The electrification of the rail line between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts was examined during the recent work on the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvements. There are currently no plans to progress this option at present. However, providing suitable rolling stock can be sourced, proposals to introduce an additional semi-fast service on this route are being taken forward. This will reduce end-to-end journey times to approximately 67 minutes and deliver around 200 extra seats an hour.

Rail Network

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the development of through rail services connecting Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports and, if so, how and when they will be implemented.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a rail network that links easily to the airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick. Access to Edinburgh Airport by rail will be achieved by adding a station at Gogar on the Fife railway line, providing an easy interchange with the tram. The building of the Dalmeny Chord will also link this station directly to Glasgow. Passengers from Stirling and Dunblane using the new Airdrie to Bathgate route will be able to interchange with the tram for the airport at Edinburgh Park.

  Rail access to Glasgow Airport will be improved through the GARL project and work is still on-going to finalise schedule agreements and milestone dates to meet the delivery programme.

  Furthermore, the step change in the number of services between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh, as announced on 27 September 2007, will improve connections from the south and west of Glasgow, and from both Prestwick and Glasgow airports, through to Edinburgh. Consideration will also be given to the possibility of running direct services from Edinburgh to Ayr, which would call at Prestwick Airport.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a STAG appraisal has been undertaken of the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: A STAG report can be found on the Transport Scotland website at www.transportscotland.gov.uk . This report, Strategic Transport Projects Review – Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements,  can also be found on the Transport Scotland website. The report details the range of options considered for improving rail connections to Edinburgh Airport and, more broadly, connections between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the predicted cost-benefit ratio is of the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: The full programme of improvements proposed to rail between Edinburgh and Glasgow is anticipated to provide a benefit cost ratio of 1.1, as set out in the STAG report. This is a conservative figure, as it assumes a wide range of infrastructure work is required, and we anticipate that further design and development work may be able to reduce the costs involved.

  The STAG report, Strategic Transport Projects Review – Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements, can be found on the Transport Scotland website at www.transportscotland.gov.uk.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many stations across Scotland will be directly connected to Edinburgh Airport under the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: It is anticipated that direct connection with the tram link to the airport at Gogar and Edinburgh Park will be possible from more than 70 stations across the Scottish heavy rail network.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many permanent new jobs will be created (a) directly and (b) indirectly as a result of the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: At this point no specific assessment of this has been made for the Gogar station scheme.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many trains an hour it is predicted will be able to access Edinburgh Airport under the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: It is anticipated that at least 12 trains per hour in each direction will stop at Gogar and Edinburgh Park stations to provide connection with the tram link to the airport.

  The exact timetable requires detailed planning before the optimum calling patterns can be determined.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the net monetised transport economic efficiency benefits are of the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link.

Stewart Stevenson: The package of improvements to Edinburgh Glasgow connectivity, including a airport link station at Gogar known as package C3, generated net monetised transport economic efficiency benefits to Government of £600 to £800 million.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis has been undertaken of the plans for the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link in terms of (a) environmental benefits, (b) disruption to the existing rail network, (c) congestion levels, (d) patronage figures, (e) levels of connectivity to the rest of Scotland, (f) efficiency and user-friendliness and (g) modal shift.

Stewart Stevenson: Details of each of the projects announced in the ministerial statement on 27 September 2007 are included in a full report detailing the options considered, the process of analysis and appraisal used to select which options to take forward. This report, Strategic Transport Projects Review – Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements,  can be found on the Transport Scotland website at: www.transportscotland.gov.uk .

  Further design and development work will now be undertaken to define the work structures necessary to deliver the programme.

Rail Network

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Government’s proposed Edinburgh Airport rail link will require (a) new primary or secondary legislation to be passed and (b) the repeal of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Act 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: We expect any new permissions may be secured through Orders under the Transport and Works (Scotland) Act 2007. We do not expect that it will be necessary to repeal the EARL Act to deliver our proposed rail link.

Renewable Energy

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what applications for wind farm developments located in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency are currently subject to a public inquiry.

Stewart Stevenson: A reporter from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) held a public local inquiry into an application for the proposed Kyle windfarm, near Dalmellington. The inquiry ended in June 2007 and the Reporter will shortly be submitting his report to Scottish ministers, who will make the final decision on this application.

Renewable Energy

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any windfarm applications have ever been refused permission by a planning authority due to the cumulative impact on the area in which they were proposed.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government does not hold centrally information on the reasons for refusals of planning permission by planning authorities, other than those which are subject to an appeal to Scottish ministers. Each planning authority is required to include the reasons for a refusal in the relevant decision notice.

  Scottish ministers have received 37 appeals against refusal or non-determination of a planning application by planning authorities of wind farm or wind turbine applications. Of these 37 appeals 17 were dismissed and of these, four cited the cumulative impact of the proposal as a factor in reaching the decision.

Roads

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change last held discussions with officials from Transport Scotland regarding the progress of the STAG appraisal into a Maybole bypass.

Stewart Stevenson: I have not had specific discussions on the progress of the Maybole Bypass. It is being considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review which will report in summer 2008.

School Meals

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance will be available to Scottish Borders Council to continue the provision of free school meals after the initial pilot ends.

Adam Ingram: Funds for the initial pilot has been funded from the 2007-08 budget.

  Any decision about extending the provision of free school lunches for primary 1 to 3 pupils in the Scottish Borders – and to primary 1 to 3 pupils in the other local authorities participating in the trial – will depend on spending review decisions and discussions with COSLA about local authority outcome agreements.

Schools

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cumulative financial cost is of making every school building in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire wind-tight and watertight.

Maureen Watt: The maintenance of their school buildings is a local authority responsibility. Detailed information of the kind requested is not held centrally.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will conclude its work to take forward proposals for replacing student loans with means-tested grants for students domiciled in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: I am continuing to work with officials on proposals to replace student loans with means-tested grants for students domiciled in Scotland.

  As set out in The Government’s Programme for Scotland, the next stage of this work will be to issue a consultation paper next year on our student support policies, including measures to tackle graduate debt. www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/09/05093403/0.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will conclude its work to take forward proposals for writing off the student loan debt of students and graduates domiciled in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: I am continuing to work with officials on proposals to remove burden of student debt for Scottish domiciled and resident borrowers.

  As set out in The Government’s Programme for Scotland, the next stage of this work will be to issue a consultation paper next year on our student support policies, including measures to tackle graduate debt. www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/09/05093403/0.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the amounts of the Young Students’ Bursary available at each level of family income for students domiciled in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has no specific plans to increase the amounts of the Young Students’ Bursary. The Young Students’ Bursary will continue to be increased in line with inflation.

  I am continuing to progress plans to replace loans with means tested grants and plan to consult on this next year.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out research into the impact of abolishing the graduate endowment on the number of students from other EU countries applying to study at Scottish universities.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has no plans to carry out specific research into the impact of abolishing the graduate endowment fee on the number of students from other EU countries applying to study at Scottish universities.

  If the graduate endowment fee is abolished by Parliament, we will continue to monitor the number of students from other EU countries who apply to study in Scotland and any other impacts the abolition of the fee may have.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra places will be created at universities and colleges for students from poorer backgrounds as a result of its policy to abolish loan debt for Scottish students and those graduates who have not yet repaid their loans.

Fiona Hyslop: This Scottish Government does not plan to increase the number of funded places as a result of its policy to abolish loan debt for Scottish students. There is currently capacity within the existing number of funded places to absorb anticipated increases. Creation of any additional funded places for higher education institutions will be dependent on the outcome of the comprehensive spending review.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has budgeted for the provision of discretionary funds and young students’ bursaries, including provision for inflation, rising student numbers and the ability to increase those funds in the future, given the loss of income that will result from abolishing the graduate endowment.

Fiona Hyslop: The abolition of the graduate endowment fee will have no impact on the provision of discretionary funds and young students’ bursary as the budgets for these funds are not directly related to graduate endowment income.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which stakeholders are being consulted on its plans to replace student loans with means-tested grants.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government will consult with a wide range of stakeholders on its plans to replace student loans with means tested grants, in particular we will seek responses from those stakeholders who represent students and institutions.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is conducting its consultation on its plans to replace student loans with means-tested grants.

Fiona Hyslop: I am still considering the full details of how this consultation will proceed. Current plans are to issue a consultation paper next year. During the consultation period my officials will look to engage with a wide range of stakeholders on the issues raised.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current outstanding student loan debt is of students and graduates domiciled in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: The total outstanding student loan debt for Scottish borrowers at the 31 March 2007 was £1,953,784,457. This figure is made up of £1,845,726,000 of debt held by the Scottish Government and £108,058,457 of sold debt by private sector institutions. These figures are based on the domicile of students when they take out their loans. It is not currently possible to identify where graduates are domiciled.

Tourism

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to consult on its proposal to align VisitScotland areas around the six enterprise network regions.

Jim Mather: The reforms of the enterprise networks and VisitScotland that we announced recently were welcomed by representatives of the tourism industry. The realignment of the VisitScotland areas to match those of the new enterprise network regions aims to increase the effectiveness of partnership working with the enterprise network alongside tourism businesses with the potential to grow, and thus to release resources to deliver more locally. VisitScotland will be discussing how the realignment can best be implemented and will be engaging locally with representatives of the tourist industry and local authorities on proposals to take this forward.

Tourism

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many registrations there were under each of the quality assurance schemes run by VisitScotland in each year since 1997.

Jim Mather: A table has been provided in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 43828) which shows the numbers of establishments participating in all of VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance (QA) Schemes since the year 2000. The schemes were first established in 1999, which is why figures are not available before 2000.

  In 2004, VisitScotland were asked by the then Scottish Executive to increase participation in the QA schemes. Since then, there has been an increase of nearly 11% in numbers of businesses participating in all schemes, from 8,486 in 2004 to 9,411 in 2006. QA participation has increased very significantly in some categories, with numbers of participating businesses in Self Catering and Hostels rising by 16.5% and 47.3% respectively between 2000 and 2006.

  Overall, the number of businesses participating in QA declined by 1.43% between 2000 (the peak year following the introduction of the grading schemes in 1999) and 2006. This reflects a decline in the overall number of businesses providing visitor accommodation in Scotland since 2000. The most common reason cited for businesses ceasing to participate in a QA scheme is a change of use (for instance, a business ceasing trading and being turned into a private residence or for some other purpose).

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the cost of the road equivalent tariff study in the Western Isles.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has commissioned specialist transport consultants Halcrow to carry out a study of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) as a mechanism for setting ferry fares in Scotland. This includes monitoring and evaluating a pilot exercise in the Western Isles. The total estimated cost of the study is approximately £375,000 covering the three stages of the study namely Stage 1: desk-based study, Stage 2: monitoring of the pilot and Stage 3: evaluation of the pilot and consideration of wider roll-out of RET. These figures do not include provision for any increase in subsidy required to compensate for reduced fares revenue arising from lower RET fares. The costs for Stages 2 and 3 will be reconsidered in the light of the conclusions of Stage 1.

  To date £22,393.37 has been paid to Halcrow for the RET study.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are involved, either directly or indirectly, in the road equivalent tariff study in the Western Isles and what timescale is envisaged for completion of the study.

Stewart Stevenson: Within the Scottish Government there are three staff for whom the road equivalent tariff study forms a significant part of their workload. Other Scottish Government staff will be involved in an advisory or line management capacity. The consultants Halcrow have allocated nine people to the study and another three who will provide an independent view of the study team’s conclusions. Both Halcrow and the Scottish Government will also draw on relevant expertise as necessary from outside their organisations during the course of the study.

  The first stage of the study will be completed by the end of 2007. The timing of the next stages will be subject to the decisions reached on the recommendations from the first stage.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the costs of rolling out road equivalent tariff over the next four years.

Stewart Stevenson: As part of the study the consultants have been asked to quantify both the costs and benefits which would arise should road equivalent tariff be applied on a permanent basis and rolled out to other ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks and the likely longer term impacts of such a roll out.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) mainland to island, (b) mainland to mainland and (c) inter island routes will be covered by road equivalent tariff, showing the routes involved.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what island communities will not be covered by road equivalent tariff.

Stewart Stevenson: The announcement made by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 13 August made it clear that the first stage of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) study would make recommendations on the design and implementation of a pilot study on one or more of the three routes connecting the Western Isles with the mainland namely Stornoway to Ullapool; Tarbert/Lochmaddy to Uig (Skye) and Castlebay/Lochboisdale to Oban. On the basis of the evidence gathered from the pilot, the consultants will, as far as is possible, quantify both the costs and benefits which would arise should RET be applied on a permanent basis and rolled out to other ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks and the likely longer term impacts of such a roll-out. This analysis will inform decisions on the future application of RET.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a residency requirement for claiming road equivalent tariff.

Stewart Stevenson: We made it clear in announcing details of the road equivalent tariff (RET) study on 13 August 2007 that the initiative would benefit all categories of ferry users. There will be no residency requirement for RET.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether road equivalent tariff will be claimed by operators or residents.

Stewart Stevenson: Our intention is that road equivalent tariff will be reflected in the fares charged to ferry users. There will, therefore, be no need for users to claim any rebate. Operators will be recompensed for any loss of revenue arising from lower fares.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations have been received about road equivalent tariff (RET) and, of these, how many have been (a) in support of and (b) against RET.

Stewart Stevenson: There has been widespread support for this Scottish Government initiative which has been expressed, for example, in meetings which I and my ministerial colleagues have had with stakeholders with an interest. In terms of formal representations, there have been eight letters to ministers wholly or partly on road equivalent tariff (RET). Four of these expressed strong support for the initiative whilst four raised issues, focused particularly on the selection of routes for the pilot exercise. None of the responses indicated opposition to the principle of RET. There have also been 26 parliamentary questions, mostly seeking information on the pilot study and the policy intentions once it has been completed.

Vaccinations

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote uptake of the flu vaccination by care home staff.

The Executive have supplied the following corrected answer:

Shona Robison: Care homes, along with hospitals, GP practices and other health care services, have received promotional materials aimed at both health care workers and residents or patients. No specific marketing activity is taking place this year to target uptake of the vaccine amongst care home staff. The priority this year has been to communicate messages to those suffering from long-term medical conditions who would be most at risk from the flu. However, the marketing campaign every year is subject to an evaluation which will inform decisions about the campaign in subsequent years, and the work being carried out by the Seasonal Flu Review group on increasing uptake will also give consideration to improving uptake amongst other groups.